FIA meets minister again, bats for level playing field

Hectic lobbying is still on ahead of the finalisation of the draft civil aviation policy as incumbent airlines under the aegis of the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) met Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju demanding a “level playing field.” IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh, Spice Jet Chairman Ajay Singh and Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal were present at the meeting.

The FIA demanded also said the relaxation of the 5/20 norms would be harmful for the domestic aviation sector. FIA, which includes Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir, and claims to represent more than 90 per cent of the domestic industry, took strong objection to the “one-sided” confabulations which had also included discussions on international flying norms for domestic carriers, popularly known as “5/20 norm”.

AirAsia India and Vistara are lobbying for the removal of the 5/20 norm so that they can fly on international routes. On the contrary, FIA wants the 5/20 regulation to be retained on the ground that its removal will lead to airlines deploying a large part of their aircraft on international routes at the cost of domestic connectivity. As of now three private carriers – Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo – have international operations besides Air India. GoAir has still not qualified for flying overseas as the it is one short of the required number of aircraft (20) in its fleet.

Raju conceded the demand of the FIA for a “patient” hearing on the issue even as he said no decision had been taken on the rule.